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We assess a replicated fire plot experiment undertaken between 1973 and 1996 in two Eucalyptus‐dominated savanna vegetation formations (open forest, woodland), at Munmarlary, in monsoonal northern Australia. Four treatments, each with three replicates, were imposed on each vegetation type: annual early dry‐season burning; annual late dry‐season burning; biennial early dry‐season burning; and unburned controls. Treatments were imposed faithfully, with noted exceptions, on 1‐ha plots. Fire intensities were typically low (<1000 kW/m) to moderate (1000–2500 kW/m), varied significantly between treatments, and generally were greater in woodland. In both woodland and open forest, pH was significantly lower and NO₃‐N was significantly higher in unburned plots. Organic C was not significantly greater in unburned treatments. Effects of fire regime on other soil chemical properties differed between open …